Teetering on the edge: the world’s 100 most endangered species (photos)

From the Baishan fir (five left in the world) to the Sumatran rhino (around 250), a new report highlights the world’s top 100 most endangered species, according to the the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

The list spans the taxonomic gamut, from fungi (Cryptomyces maximus) to amphibians (the Table Mountain ghost frog) to flowers (the Cayman Islands ghost orchid) and much more (see full list at the end of the article).

Only described in 2010, its unknown how many Durrell’s vontsiras (Salanoia durrelli) survive. Photo by: Ian Vernon and Tim Hounsome with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

From the Baishan fir (five left in the world) to the Sumatran rhino (around 250), a new report highlights the world’s top 100 most endangered species, according to the the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The list spans the taxonomic gamut, from fungi (Cryptomyces maximus) to amphibians (the Table Mountain ghost frog) to flowers (the Cayman Islands ghost orchid) and much more (see full list at the end of the article).

“The species featured here represent the 100 most critically endangered species in the world,” announces the report. “If we don’t rapidly increase the amount of conservation attention that they receive they may soon be lost forever.”

Listed in alphabetical order, the report represents the best knowledge available on endangered species. While scientists to date have described nearly 2 million species on Earth, most believe several million (and perhaps tens-of-millions) remain undiscovered. In addition, scientists generally have far more data on the populations and threats facing vertebrate species, such as mammals and amphibians, than they do of insects, plants, and fungi. Still, these 100 near-extinct species highlights the increasing global biodiversity crisis, which could result in a mass extinction with untold consequences for the world’s ecosystems.

“All the species listed are unique and irreplaceable,” co-author Ellen Butcher with ZSL said in a statement. “If they vanish, no amount of money can bring them back. However, if we take immediate action we can give them a fighting chance for survival. But this requires society to support the moral and ethical position that all species have an inherent right to exist.”

While a few of these species have seen targeted conservation efforts, such as the Sumatran rhino and the saola, many lack any conservation efforts.

“The donor community and conservation movement are leaning increasingly towards a ‘what can nature do for us’ approach, where species and wild habitats are valued and prioritized according to the services they provide for people. This has made it increasingly difficult for conservationists to protect the most threatened species on the planet,” says ZSL’s Director of Conservation, Jonathan Baillie, and co-author of the report.

The report also highlights that targeted conservation efforts in the past has had numerous successes in keeping species from vanishing for good, such as Prezwalski’s horse, the humpback whale, and the black robin. Still the general trend outlined by scientists is a global decline in biodiversity.

“Society is at a point in history where a decision needs to be made,” Baillie writes in the report. “Do these species have the right to exist?”

Less than 250 great Indian bustards (Ardeotis nigriceps) survive. Photo by: Rahul Sachdev.

Habitat degradation due to increasing population pressure and water pollutionHabitat protection

Antilophia bokermanni

Araripe Manakin

bird

779 individuals (est 2010)

abitat destruction due to expansion of agriculture and recreational facilities and water diversionFormal protection of remaining habitat and protection of springs and streams

Antisolabis seychellensis

Seychelles earwig

earwig

Unknown (declining)

Invasive species and climate changeHabitat management to prevent further invasion by introduced plants

Aphanius transgrediens

freshwater fish

Unknown (declining)

Competition and predation by Gambusia and road construction Raise awareness in national conservation groups and governments, monitor and conserve current springs, develop action plan for lost springs and maintain captive populations

Aproteles bulmerae

Bulmer’s Fruit Bat

bat

150 individuals (est)

Hunting and cave disturbanceProtection of Luplupwintern cave and enforced prohibition of hunting

Ardea insignis

White bellied heron

bird

70-400 individuals

Habitat destruction and degradation due to hydropower development Develop captive rearing and release program, eliminate adverse uses of riverine habitat, and mitigate effects of hydroelectric development

Ardeotis nigriceps

Great Indian Bustard

bird

50 -249 mature individuals

Habitat loss and modification due to agricultural developmentEstablishment of protected areas and community reserves, and realignment of Indira Ghandi Nahar Canal Project

Astrochelys yniphora

Ploughshare tortoise / angonoka

tortoise

440-770

Illegal collection for international pet tradeEnforcement of legal protection and protected area management

Atelopus balios

Rio pescado stubfoot toad

toad

Unknown (declining)

Chytridiomycosis and habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansionProtection of last remaining habitat

Aythya innotata

Madagascar Pochard

bird

approximately 20 mature individuals

Habitat degradation due to slash-and-burn agriculture, hunting, and fishing / introduced fishFormal protection of current breeding site, habitat restoration, and development of release programme for captive-bred individuals

Azurina eupalama

Galapagos damsel fish

pelagic fish

Unknown (declining)

Climate Change – oceanographic changes associated with the 1982 / 1983 El Nino are presumed to be responsible for the apparent disappearance of this species from the Galapagos Surveys to identify if the species still exists in Los Lobos Islands

Bahaba taipingensis

Giant yellow croaker

pelagic fish

Unknown (declining)

Over-fishing, primarily due to value of swim-bladder for traditional medicine – cost per kilogram exceeded that of gold in 2001Establishment of appropriate protection in Hong Kong and enforcement of legal protection in China

Batagur baska

Common Batagur/ Four-toed terrapin

turtle

Unknown (declining)

Illegal export and trade from Indonesia to China Enforcement of CITES Appendix I restrictions and control of illegal trade

Bazzania bhutanica

liverwort

Unknown (declining)

Habitat degradation and destruction due to forest clearance, overgrazing and development Protection of area to prevent future development damaging remaining habitat

Beatragus hunteri

Hirola

antelope

< 1000 individuals

Habitat loss and degradation, competition with livestock, poachingEstablishment of protected areas and community conservancies, increase in level of management and protection of wild population

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to large-scale deforestation and selective loggingHabitat protection and commitment of resources to support the implementation of the national action plan

Bradypus pygmaeus

Pygmy sloth

sloth

<500 individuals

Habitat loss due to illegal logging of mangrove forests for firewood and construction and hunting of the slothsEnforcement of protection of the Isla Escudo de Veraguas nature sanctuary and raising awareness

Callitriche pulchra

freshwater plant

Unknown (declining)

Exploitation of the species’ habitat by stock, and modification of the pool by local peopleProvide alternative water sources for stock, involve local people in the protection of the pool and document remaining water bodies on Gavdos

Calumma tarzan

Tarzan’s chameleon

chameleon

Unknown

Habitat destruction for agricultureSupport for nascent community conservation initiatives and protection of habitat

Cavia intermedia

Santa Catarina’s guinea pig

guinea pig

40-60 individuals

Habitat disturbance and possible hunting; small population effectsProtected area enforcement and regulation of access to the island

Cercopithecus roloway

Roloway Guenon

primate

Unknown

hunting for consumption as bushmeat, and habitat lossProtection of habitat from logging and conversion to agricultural land

Coleura seychellensis

Seychelles sheath-tailed bat

bat

<100 mature individuals (est 2008)

Habitat degradation and predation by invasive speciesRemoval of invasive vegetation and control of introduced predators, coupled with legal protection of habitat and roosting sites

Cryptomyces maximus

fungus

Unknown (declining)

Limited availability of habitatcontinue protection of current populations and habitat regeneration projects

Cryptotis nelsoni

Nelson’s small-eared shrew

shrew

Unknown (declining)

habitat loss due to logging cattle grazing, fire and agriculture

Cyclura collei

Jamaican iguana

iguana

Unknown (declining)

Predation by introduced species and habitat destructionTranslocation to predator-free islands and control of deforestation development of legislation that will facilitate the protection of the Ironwood Forests

Dendrophylax fawcettii

Cayman islands ghost orchid

orchid

Unknown (declining)

Habitat destruction due to infrastructure developmentDevelopment of legislation that will facilitate the protection of the Ironwood Forests

Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

Sumatran rhino

rhino

<250 individuals

Hunting for horn -used in traditional medicineExpansion and reinforcement of anti-poaching programmes and continuation of captive breeding efforts

Diomedea amsterdamensis

Amsterdam Island albatross

bird

100 mature individuals

disease and incidental capture in long-line fishing operationsPrevention of the spread of disease and promotion of best-practice measures in all fisheries within the species range

Diospyros katendei

tree

20 individuals, one population

High pressure from communities for agricultural activity, illegal tree felling, habitat degradation due to alluvial gold digging and small populationEnforcement of legal protection of area, field surveys for further search and ex situ conservation in arboreta / botanic gardens

Dipterocarpus lamellatus

dipterocarp (tree)

12 individuals

Habitat loss and degradation due to logging of lowland forest and creation of industrial plantationsRestoration of Sianggau Forest Reserve and re-introduction of species to previous range

Discoglossus nigriventer

Hula painted frog

frog

Unknown (recent rediscovery in 2011)

Predation by birds and range restriction due to habitat destructionrestoration of habitat

Discorea strydomiana

Wild Yam

yam

200 individuals

Collection for medicinal useDevelop strategy for sustainable use and establish ex situ populations

Dombeya mauritiana

flowering plant

Unknown (declining)

Habitat degradation and destruction due to encroachment by alien invasive plant species and cannabis cultivationControl of invasive plant species, habitat protection and re-introduction of propagated individuals

Elaeocarpus bojeri

flowering plant

<10 individuals

Small population and degraded habitatUnknown – trees are currently being closely monitored to determine level of threat and how these should be addressed

Eleutherodactylus glandulifer

La Hotte Glanded Frog

frog

Unknown (declining)

Habitat destruction due to charcoal production and slash-and-burn agricultureHabitat protection

Eleutherodactylus thorectes

Macaya Breast-spot frog

frog

Unknown

Habitat destruction due to charcoal production and slash-and-burn agriculture Protection of habitat

Eriosyce chilensis

Chilenito

cactus

<500 individuals

Collection of flowering individualsProtection of plants through construction of a fence and signage alerting people to threatened status

Illegal logging and habitat degradation due to agricultural expansion and infrastructure development Enforcement of legal protection in the Witu Forest Reserve, which has diminished due to civil insecurity

Eurynorhynchus pygmeus

Spoon-billed sandpiper

bird

< 100 breeding pairs

Trapping on wintering grounds and land reclamation.Maintenance of critical intertidal staging posts and reducing trapping on wintering grounds.

Ficus katendei

tree (ficus)

< 50 mature individuals

Agricultural activity, illegal tree felling and habitat degradation due to alluvial gold diggingex-situ conservation in arboreta / botanic gardens; enforcement of protection to contain encroachment and habitat degradation; community development programmes in areas adjacent to the reserve

Geronticus eremita

Northern Bald Ibis

bird

200-249 mature individuals

Habitat degradation and destruction, and huntingProtection of key breeding and roosting sites

Gigasiphon macrosiphon

flowering tree

33 mature individuals

Timber extraction and habitat degradation due to agricultural encroachment and development, seed predation by wild pigsEnforcement of protection in reserves and establishment of management plan to mitigate effects of water loss from hydroelectricity developments

Gocea ohridana

mollusc

Unknown (declining)

Habitat degradation due to increasing pollution levels, off-take of water and sedimentation eventsImplement transboundary agreements to improve habitat management

Heleophryne rosei

Table Mountain ghost frog

frog

Unknown (declining)

Habitat degradation due to invasive plants and water abstractionProtection of habitat, continued implementation of management plans and integration of activities between sites

Hemicycla paeteliana

mollusc

Unknown (declining)

Habitat destruction due to overgrazing and trampling by goats and touristsConservation of habitat and control of goats, and limiting recreational access to area by tourists

Heteromirafra sidamoensis

Liben Lark

bird

90- 256 individuals

Habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural expansion, over-grazing and fire suppressionRestoration of grasslands, including establishing sustainable land management practices, clearing scrub and reinstating fire regime

Hibiscadelphus woodii

hibiscus

Unknown

Habitat degradation due to feral ungulates and invasive introduced plant speciesSurvey the extremely steep terrain for additional individuals. Control of invasive species in the remaining suitable habitat so that species can be reintroduced if more individuals are located

Hucho perryi (Parahucho perryi)

Sakhalin taimen

salmonid

Unknown (declining)

Overfishing (sport fishing and commercial bycatch) and habitat loss from damming, agriculture and other land use practices.Expansion of conservation protection in rivers in Russia and Japan and enforcement of fishing regulations

Johora singaporensis

Singapore Freshwater Crab

crab

Unknown

Habitat degradation – reduction in water quality and quantityProtection of remaining habitat and establishment of ex-situ populations

Limited distribution and small population size Ex-situ conservation and re-introduction; establishment of protected areas

Poecilotheria metallica

Peacock Parachute Spider

spider

Habitat loss and degradation as a result of deforestation, firewood collection and civil unrestHabitat protection, awareness at community level, inclusion in the national Wildlife Protection Act and national and international trade legislation

Pomarea whitneyi

Fatuhiva monarch

butterfly

50 individuals

Predation by introduced species – Rattus rattus and feral catsIncrease control of introduced species and consider translocation, either to another island or by creating another, larger controlled area in an accessible part of Fatu Hiva

Pristis pristis

Common Sawfish

sawfish

Unknown (declining)

Exploitation – has removed the species from 95% of its historical rangeFurther research required to understand current distribution and threats and ways of managing those

Prolemur simus

Greater bamboo lemur

primate

100-160 individuals

Habitat destruction due to slash-and-burn agriculture, mining and illegal loggingHabitat protection and reforestation in the Ivato and Karlanaga regions

Propithecus candidus

Silky Sifaka

primate

100 -1,000 individuals

Hunting and habitat disturbanceContinuation and expansion of efforts to end hunting and establishment of protected areas

Psammobates geometricus

Geometric tortoise

tortoise

Unknown

Habitat destruction and degradation, and predationEstablishment of additional reserves and management of fire regimes

Habitat degradation and destruction due to development project and alien invasive plant species Effective protection of the area, continuous and effective control of invasive alien plants particularly grasses and replanting of hardened nursery grown plants

Psorodonotus ebneri

Beydaglari Bush-cricket

cricket

Unknown

climate change, habitat loss Development of a bioacoustic monitoring scheme and strategic conservation action plan, establishment of a nature reserve, implementation of habitat management scheme, and research on population size, trends, distribution, and ecology

Rafetus swinhoei

Red River giant softshell turtle

turtle

4 known individuals

Hunting for consumption and habitat destruction and degradation as a result of wetland destruction and pollutionEducation and awareness programmes, and captive breeding

Rhinoceros sondaicus

Javan rhino

rhino

< 100 individuals

Hunting for traditional medicine and small population sizeEnforcement of protection laws and possible establishment of a captive breeding programme

Rhinopithecus avunculus

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey

primate

< 200 individuals

habitat loss and hunting. Known from only a few records in small area of habitat ( less than 10km2), Establishment of a conservation area for Khau Ca Conservation area in Ha Giang province and increase law enforcement to reduce hunting pressure

Rhizanthella gardneri

West Australian underground Orchid

orchid

< 100 individuals

Land clearance for agriculture (96% habitat cleared to date), climate change and salinisationIn-situ protection of the two supporting organisms and protection of seed stocks and the fungus partner in the seed bank

Rhynchocyon spp.

Boni Giant Sengi

sengi

Unknown (declining)

Highly restricted habitat and distribution, security issues, oil development in area with associated increase in human population in areaFormal protection of Boni-Dodori forest and finalisation of formal identification

Risiocnemis seidenschwarzi

Cebu frill-wing

damsel-fly

Unknown (declining)

Habitat degradation and destruction.Designation of area as ‘Critical Habitat’ – restricting human access to the areas

Construction of dams altering river flows and flood events into estuariesEstablishment of a freshwater ‘reserve’, pollution control and implementation of water use allocations

Tahina spectabilis

Suicide Palm

palm

90 individuals

Habitat loss due to fires, logging and agricultural developmentsEstablishment of a protected area and development of a management plan

Telmatobufo bullocki

Bullock’s false toad

toad

unknown

Habita destruction as a result of energy developmentHalting development of the hydo-electricity scheme and protecting habitat

Tokudaia muenninki

Okinawa Spiny Rat

rat

unknown (declining)

Habtiat loss and predation by feral catsSurveys to map species range, protection of remaining habitat and feral cat control programme

Trigonostigma somphongsi

Somphongs’s rasbora

freshwater fish

Unknown (declining)

Habitat loss and degradation from farmland conversion and urbanizationWetland restoration

Valencia letourneuxi

freshwater fish

Unknown (declining)

Habitat destruction, water abstraction and agressive interaction with GambusiaProtection of habitat and control of Gambusia

Voanioala gerardii

Forest Coconut

palm

< 10 individuals

Harvesting for consumption of palm heart and deforestationProtection of individuals and habitat coupled with public awareness campaigns

Zaglossus attenboroughi

Attenborough’s Echidna

echidna

Unknown

Habitat modification and degradation due to logging, agricultural encroachment shifting cultivation and hunting by local peopleEnhance awareness and cultural significance of the species and establish sustainable management practices and conduct additional surveys